Full experience
Full Day Ephesus Tour
Ephesus plus the Terrace Houses, House of Virgin Mary, Temple of Artemis and Isa Bey Mosque — the complete day, at your pace.
Our most-booked tour
Best of Ephesus Tour
Three sites, one unforgettable half-day: the marble city itself, the hillside home of the Virgin Mary, and the last column of a Wonder of the World.
Tour overview
What makes this tour special
If you ask us "which tour should I take?", this is usually the answer. The Best of Ephesus Tour combines the three sites travelers cross oceans for: the grand ruins of Ephesus, the serene House of Virgin Mary in the pine forest above the city, and the Temple of Artemis — one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
In Ephesus you will walk from the Odeon down the marble Curetes Street, past temples and fountains, to the Library of Celsus — the third-greatest library of antiquity with its 12,000 scrolls — and the Grand Theater, where Saint Paul confronted a rioting crowd of silversmiths.
Then the mood changes completely: a short, beautiful drive into the hills brings you to the humble stone house where, tradition and papal visits affirm, the Virgin Mary spent her final years. Discovered through the visions of the German nun Anne Catherine Emmerich, it remains one of the most moving Christian shrines in Turkey.
Highlights
- The complete Ephesus walk: Odeon, agoras, Curetes Street, Library of Celsus, Grand Theater
- A quiet visit to the House of Virgin Mary, blessed by three papal pilgrimages
- The Temple of Artemis — one wonder, one surviving column, one great story
- Optional lunch and local artisan visit — fresh local dishes cooked by local chefs, with traditional handcrafts to admire
- Private vehicle and guide throughout — start when you want, linger where you love
Step by step
Your day, hour by hour
Private pickup
From your Kusadasi or Selcuk hotel, cruise port or Izmir — your guide greets you with a name sign, and your day begins on your schedule.
Ephesus Ancient City
Two hours among the best-preserved Roman streets in the world, timed to dodge the biggest crowds at the Library of Celsus and the 25,000-seat Grand Theater.
House of Virgin Mary
Five minutes from the ruins, a world away in atmosphere. Visit the chapel, drink from the sacred spring and leave a wish at the wishing wall.
Temple of Artemis
Close the loop at the site of the ancient world's grandest temple, with the Basilica of St John and Ayasuluk Fortress in view on the hill beyond.
Optional lunch & local artisan visit
We close the day at a local artisan center: lunch is whatever is local and whatever is fresh, cooked by local chefs and cooks, while Turkish handcraft masters demonstrate their work around you.
No surprises
What's included
Included
- Lunch included — whatever is local and fresh, cooked by local chefs, at a local artisan centre
- Private licensed tour guide (English, Spanish, Portuguese, French or German)
- Private air-conditioned vehicle with professional driver
- Hotel, cruise port or airport pickup and drop-off
- Parking fees and fuel
- All taxes, official expenses and required insurance
Not included
- Entrance fees to the sites (see our up-to-date entrance fees page)
- Personal drinks
- Personal expenses and souvenirs
- Gratuities (optional, always appreciated)
Arriving by sea?
We serve all of these cruise lines
Whichever ship brings you to Kusadasi or Izmir, our guides know its pier, its schedule and exactly how much time you really have ashore.
Guaranteed pick-up and drop-back on time — for every one of these cruise lines.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the House of Virgin Mary suitable for non-Christian visitors?
Absolutely. Guests of every faith find the house and its story deeply atmospheric, and Muslims also venerate Mary — you will see visitors of many religions side by side.
How much walking is involved?
Around two hours of gentle downhill walking in Ephesus itself plus short strolls at the other sites. Comfortable shoes and a hat in summer are the only requirements.
Can we add the Terrace Houses?
Yes — they sit inside Ephesus and add roughly 45 minutes. Just mention it when booking, or even ask your guide on the day.
Ready for the Best of Ephesus Tour?
Every tour is private and tailored to your pace. Send us your date — a local expert replies within 24 hours.
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Treasures of Ephesus Tour
The crowd-beating short tour: Library of Celsus, Grand Theater and the Temple of Artemis in one perfectly timed morning.
Pilgrimage
Biblical Ephesus Tour
The theater of the silversmiths' riot, Mary's hillside home and the tomb of Saint John — scripture and stone, side by side.